Web cartridge

ABSTRACT

A six-sided web storage device having three fixed sides and three movable sides. The movable sides are mounted to the fixed sides of the device by spring biased hinges. The movable sides are releasably held in enclosing relation by the cooperative action of latching means on the fixed sides. A pair of web reels are captively mounted for rotation between fixed sides of the device. Resilient means are included in the mounting of the reels to provide rotational drag when the reels are disengaged from a driving means, the device being properly apertured to permit operation of the reels by the driving means. Release of the enclosing movable sides exposes a web which may be wound between the reels and provides access through apertures in the fixed sides for withdrawing the web from the device.

0 United States Patent [151 3,653,608 Dickens et al. 1 Apr. 4, 1972 s41 WEB CARTRIDGE 3,401,898 9/1968 Haberstroh ..242/197 ,61 11199 P t ..24220 [72] Inventors: Bernard L. Dickens; Bruno F. Melchionni, g 41 4 2 32: 35 1 2:

both of Cherry Hill, N.J.; Raymond R. Werner Northboro Mass Primary Examiner-Leonard D. Christian [73] Assignee: RCA Corporation Attorney-Edward .1. Norton [22] Filed: Dec. 23, 1969 57 ABSTRACT [21] APP 837,616 A six-sided web storage device having three fixed sides and three movable sides. The movable sides are mounted to the fixed sides of the device by spring biased hinges. The movable [30] Foreign Apphcation Priority Data sides are releasably held in enclosing relation by the coopera- Mar. 14, 1969 Great Britain ..13,443/69 live action of latching means on the fixed sides. A pair of web reels are captively mounted for rotation between fixed sides of 52 us. c|.... ..242/199, 206/52 F the device- Resilient means are ineluded in the mounting of 51 int. Cl. ..G03b 1/04, 01 1b 15/32, 01 1b 23/04 the reels to Provide rotational drag when the reels are disen- [58] Field of Search ..242/|97-200; gazed from a driving means, the device being P p y p 206/52 w, 52 F 59 E tured to permit operation of the reels by the driving means. Release of the enclosing movable sides exposes a web which may be wound between the reels and provides access through [56] References Cited apertures in the fixed sides for withdrawing the web from the UNITED STATES PATENTS device- 3,342,431 9/1967 Mouissie ..242/197 10 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPR 4:972 3,653,608

SHEET 1 [IF 2 WEB CARTRIDGE This invention relates to a web storage apparatus having movable web enclosing means to permit at least a portion of the web to be removed for operation thereon and returned to the storage apparatus.

A wide variety of cartridges designed to handle web-like material exist. Generally, these cartridges are intended to hold a web-like material while some action takes place with respect thereto as the material is moved within the cartridge. However, a need does exist for a cartridge which will completely enclose and safely store therein a web-like material when not in use, permit the material to be removed from the cartridge when the material is to be acted upon, and thereafter permit the material to be returned to and enclosed within the cartridge for further storage, all of the above being accomplished while the material remains secured to reels within the cartridge. The present invention provides a cartridge suitable for such use.

FIG. 1 is a front view in perspective and FIG. 2 is a rear view in perspective of one embodiment of a web cartridge in a closed, nomoperative condition according to this invention. I

FIG. 3 is a front view andFIG. 4 is a top view of the cartridge of FIG. 1 when in an operable condition.

FIG. 5 is a view showing further details of a portion of the cartridge of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a top view showing an arrangement of the web within the cartridge of FIGS. 1-4.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are diagrammatic views of the cartridge in conjunction with a recorder-reproducer system.

Turning to the FIGS. 1 through 4, the cartridge 10 includes a bottom, flat member or side 11 made of a plastic or other light weight, durable material. A backing member or side 12 made of the same material as member 11 is fixedly secured to the bottom member 11 as by gluing or may in practice be molded as a continuation of the bottom member 11. A top, flat member or side 13, again made of the same material as the bottom member 11, is mounted with the bottom and backing members 11 and 12 to form a three-sided enclosure. The top member 13 may be mounted in the assembly by screws 14, 15 which coact with the backing member 12 and screws 16, 17, 18 which coact with posts 19, 20, 21, respectively, shown in FIG. 3 at the front of the cartridge. The posts 19, 20, 21 serve to space the top member 13 from the bottom member 11.

A first L-shaped member 22 is mounted by way of a springloaded hinge 23, secured to an open side of the backing member 12, so as to enclose one side and a portion of the front side of the three sided enclosure formed by the members 11, 12 and 13. A second L-shaped member 24 is likewise mounted by a spring-loaded hinge 25 to the remaining open side of the backing member 12, so as to enclose the other side of the remaining portion of the front side of the enclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, the front edges of the members 22 and 24 can be keyed so that the end 26 of the member 24 fits into the end 27 of the member 22 as indicated by the dotted line 28, to provide a solid flush wall across the front of the cartridge 10. The members 22, 24 may be made of a light metal or other durable material.

The top member 13 includes a pair of apertures 29 and 30 which are formed with respective collars 31, 32 which extend into the enclosure of the cartridge 10 as shown in FIG. 3. As will be more fully explained, the collars 31 and 32 serve to mount a pair of reels 33, 34 within the cartridge 10. The apertures 29, 30 provide access to the reels 33, 34 through the collars 31, 32 for driving the reels 33, 34 from the outside of the cartridge 10. A further pair of apertures 35, 36 are positioned in the top member 13 to provide in each case access to a releasable latching means. In the present embodiment leaf springs 39, 40 are secured to the underside of member 13 as by rivets 37, 38. As shown in the view of FIG. 4, a U-shaped member 41 is fastened to the inside surface of the member 24. When the member 24 is closed upon the enclosure formed by the members 11, 12 and 13, the spring 39 locks with the member 41 to hold the member 24 in place. A U-shaped member 42 on the member 22 acts similarly with the spring 40 to hold the member 22 in closed position.

Also included in the top member 13 are a pair of notches 45, 46 which provide access into the cartridge 10 from the outside thereof through the member 13 for a purpose to be described. A wedge shaped metallic member 47 is secured to the inside surface of the member 24 so that when the member 24 is closed upon the cartridge 10, the member 47 passes beneath the member 13 to provide a dust cover for the notch 45. Likewise, a wedge shaped metallic member 48 on the member 22 serves as a dust cover for the notch 46.

While various techniques may be used for mounting the reels 33, 34 within the cartridge 10, in the approach shown in FIG. 3, a pair of circular, raised members or annulus 50, 51 are positioned on the bottom member 11. The reel 33 is supported for rotation between the collar 31 and annulus 50, while the reel 34 is supported for rotation between the collar 32 and annulus 51. Each annulus 50, 51 may be made in the manner of that shown in FIG. 5. The annulus 50 or 51 includes a raised portion 56 which captively holds the reel 33 or 34 for rotation. A washer 52 is held on the end of a rod 53 by a suitable clamping means 55 within the portion 56, so that the washer 52 extends up into the center of the reel 33, a spring 54 serving to force the washer 52 in an upward direction. The collar 31, reel 33, and annulus 50 are made so that when the reel 33 is idle, a friction drag is exerted upon the reel 33, tending to hold the reel 33 from movement. When driving means, not shown, are inserted into the reel 33 through the aperture 29, a downward force is exerted against the spring 54, providing a positive drive with a minimum of frictional drag on the reel 33. Reel 34 can be operated in a similar manner via collar 32 and annulus 51.

A typical web path within the cartridge 10, constructed in the manner shown in FIG. 1 through 4, is shown in FIG. 6. The backing member 12 may be provided with the curved contour as shown to accommodate the two reels 33,34. A web-like material 60 is securely fastened at one end to the hub of the reel 33 with the other end securely fastened to the hub of the reel 34. The remainder of the web 60being wound on the respective reels 33, 34. The web 60 in passing between the two reels 33, 34, traverses a post 61 supported between members 11 and 13, posts 19, 20, 21 as shown in FIG. 3, and a post 62 supported between the members 1 1 and 13.

Thus a cartridge 10 is provided by the construction described, having astorage mode as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, whereby the web therein is completely enclosed and protected. When some use of the cartridge 10 and of the web therein is intended, pressure applied through the apertures 35, 36 on springs 39, 40 releases the members 22, 24 which are immediately made to fly open by the hinges 23, 25 to the positions shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Access can then be had to the web 60 for operation therewith.

While the cartridge 10 can be used in various applications, one example of the use thereof is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The use of quadruplex television magnetic tape recorders is well known. Assume that it is desired to operate such a recorder using the cartridge 10 of the present invention. In such case a length of two-inch wide magnetic tape is wound on the reels 33, 34. The cartridge 10 is positioned in a suitable mount, not shown, and the members 22, 24 are released to expose the tape as it passes over the posts 61, 19, 20, 21, 62 in the manner shown in FIGS. 3 and 6. A pair of rods 70, 71, operated from a suitable driving means 72, by mechanical means represented by the dotted lines 73,74 are inserted through the respective notches 45, 46 in the member 13. The notches 45 and 46 are cut and the rods 70, 71 are moved therein so as to pass within the loop of tape within the cartridge 10. At the same time, a driving means in the form of suitable shafts, represented by dotted lines 75, 76 operated from a driving apparatus 77 engage the reels through the apertures 29, 30. In so doing the shaft serves to hold one reel, for example, reel 34, immobile, while the other reel 33 is permitted to rotate freely or against a drag. While not shown, the reels are assumed to be constructed in a manner to accommodate the means 75, 76 and to operate therewith in the manner described. The rods 70, 71 are now caused to move in the direction of the respective arrows 86, 87. When the tape 60 is extended to be aligned with a tape path as shown in FIG. 8, the tape 60 can be threaded into that tape path by a suitable mechanism, not shown, and the rods 70, 71 retracted to their starting position out of operation with both the cartridge and tape 60. The tape 60 would thus be threaded over the transport path including a capstan assembly 78, audio and/or control magnetic heads 79, 80, a quadruplex magnetic head wheel assembly including a motor 81, the head wheel 82 and guide shoe 83, an erase head 84 and a corner pulley 85. Thus, when the tape 60 is extended by the rods 70, 71 as shown in FIG. 8, the mechanism provided, not shown, may drop the tape down between the head wheel 82 and the shoe 83, as well as along the tape path shown. The tape transport path shown in FIG. 8 is meant to be symbolic only, and the components thereof can be arranged to suit the particular application. The driving apparatus 77 thereafter operates on the reels through the means 75, 76 along with the capstan assembly 78 to drive the tape 60 between the reels along the tape path to provide a signal recording or reproduction in a conventional manner. When the recording or reproduction is completed, the above-described operation of the driving apparatus is reversed. The rods 70, 71 are operated by the apparatus 72 to form the tape loop shown in FIG. 8 as by moving the tape 60 up from between the head wheel 82 and shoe 83, the tape 60 also being free of the other elements in the tape path. As the rods 70, 71 return to the notches 45, 46, the tape 60 likewise is wound up on the reels by the action of the driving apparatus 77 on the reels. When the tape 60 is returned to the tape path within the cartridge 10 as shown in FIG. 6, the rods 70, 71 are removed from the notches 45, 46. The members 22, 24 can be closed upon the cartridge 10, and the cartridge 10 removed from the mount, not shown, for storage.

We claim:

1. A cartridge for an elongated web, comprising:

a first member having a first portion interconnecting second and third portions in substantially opposite relation to form one part of an enclosure which is open on three sides;

at least one reel rotatably mounted between said second and third portions and adapted to receive said web;

second and third members having generally an L-shape; and

means including hinges for mounting said second and third members to said first member with said second and third members in first position thereof being disposed along the exposed sides of said enclosure to form a completely enclosed enclosure, and in a second position thereof being in non-enclosing relation to provide access to said web via said three open sides.

2. The invention according to claim 1, and including releasable latching means affixed to said first member for holding said second and third members in said first position, and said mounting means including spring means operable to move said second and third member to said second position upon release of said latching means.

3. A cartridge for an elongated web, comprising:

a first member having a first portion interconnecting two parallel planar portions to form three sides of an enclosure;

first and second reels rotatably mounted in spaced relation between said planar portions;

a plurality of posts spanning said planar portions along the exposed edges of said first member, said posts defining a path for said web between said reels;

second and third generally ,L' shaped members hinged to opposite exposed edges of the first portion of said first member, said second and third members extending about the open sides of said first member completely enclosing said reels and said web;

releasable means for holding said first, second and third members in said enclosing relation; and

means coupled between said first member and said second and third member, and operable upon release of said holding means to rotate said second and third members away from said first member exposing said web along said open sides of said first member.

4. The invention according to claim 3, wherein each of said planar portions of said first member have a pair of raised annular portions between which said reels are captively rotatable, and said reel mounting means further includes means urging said reels axially into frictional relation with one of said pair of annular portions.

5. The invention according to claim 3, wherein the planar portions of said first member have a first pair of apertures therein, and at least one other aperture, said first pair of apertures being substantially registered with the respective axis of rotation of said reels, and said other aperture being substantially registered with respect to said holding means.

6. The invention according to claim 3, wherein one of said planar portions has a pair of notches therein, communicating with an edge of said first member, said notches extending along said planar portions to a point within said web path defined by said posts.

7. The invention according to claim 6, wherein each of said second and third members having further portions arranged to cover said notches when said second and third members are in enclosing relation with said first member.

8. In combination:

a recorder-reproducer system of the type using a web-like record medium;

a web cartridge for use in said system having a plurality of fixed portions, and at least one movable portion mounted to said fixed portion, said cartridge in a first condition having said movable portion forming with said fixed portions a completely enclosed hollow enclosure, at least one reel rotatably mounted between opposite fixed portions of said cartridge, said reel being adapted to have said web wound thereon, and said cartridge in a second condition thereof having said movable portion spaced from said fixed portions to provide access by said system to said web;

releasable means coupled between said fixed and movable portions, for holding said cartridge in said first condition thereof;

means for releasing said holding means; and

means operable upon the release of said holding means for urging said movable portion to dispose said cartridge in said second condition thereof.

9. In combination with a recorder-reproducer system having a transport including means arranged to define a path for an elongated web,

a web cartridge having a plurality of fixed sides and at least one movable side hinge-mounted to said fixed sides, said movable side in a first position thereof forming with said fixed sides a completely enclosed hollow enclosure,

first and second reels rotatably mounted within said enclosure,

a plurality of web guiding members mounted in parallel spaced relation to said reels, said members adapted to have said web pass from one of said reels about said members to the other of said reels,

releasable means for holding said sides in enclosing relation,

means operable upon release of said holding means to move said movable side to a second position thereof, in which said movable side is rotated away from said fixed sides to expose said web,

web engaging means movable between said cartridge and said transport means;

means for interposing said web engaging means between said guide members and said reels when said movable side is in said second position; and

means for driving said web engaging means to withdraw said web from said cartridge and to dispose said web for positioning in said path defined by said transport means.

10. The invention according to claim 9 and further including means associated with at least one of said reels for opposing withdrawal of said web from said reel. 

1. A cartridge for an elongated web, comprising: a first member having a first portion interconnecting second and third portions in substantially opposite relation to form one part of an enclosure which is open on three sides; at least one reel rotatably mounted between said second and third portions and adapted to receive said web; second and third members having generally an L-shape; and means including hinges for mounting said second and third members to said first member with said second and third members in first position thereof being disposed along the exposed sides of said enclosure to form a completely enclosed enclosure, and in a second position thereof being in nonenclosing relation to provide access to said web via said three open sides.
 2. The invention according to claim 1, and including releasable latching means affixed to said first member for holding said second and third members in said first position, and said mounting means including spring means operable to move said second and third member to said second position upon release of said latching means.
 3. A cartridge for an elongated web, comprising: a first member having a first portion interconnecting two parallel planar portions to form three sides of an enclosure; first and second reels rotatably mounted in spaced relation between said planar portions; a plurality of posts spanning said planar portions along the exposed edges of said first member, said posts defining a path for said web between said reels; second and third generally ''''L'''' shaped members hinged to opposite exposed edges of the first portion of said first member, said second and third members extending about the open sides of said first member completely enclosing said reels and said web; releasable means for holding said first, second and third members in said enclosing relation; and means coupled between said first member and said second and third member, and operable upon release of said holding means to rotate said second and third members away from said first member exposing said web along said open sides of said first member.
 4. The invention according to claim 3, wherein each of said planar portions of said first member have a pair of raised annular portions between which said reels are captively rotatable, and said reel mounting means further includes means urging said reels axially into frictional relation with one of said pair of annular portions.
 5. The invention according to claim 3, wherein the planar portions of said first member have a first pair of apertures therein, and at least one other aperture, said first pair of apertures being substantially registered with the respective axis of rotation of said reels, and said other aperture being substantially registered with respect to said holding means.
 6. The invention according to claim 3, wherein one of said planar portions has a pair of notches therein, communicating with an edge of said first member, said notches extending along said planar portions to a point within said web path defined by said posts.
 7. The invention according to claim 6, wherein each of said second and third members having further portions arranged to cover said notches when said second and third members are in enclosing relation with said first member.
 8. In combination: a recorder-reproducer system of the type using a web-like record medium; a web cartridge for use in said system having a plurality of fixed portions, and at least one movable portion mounted to said fixed portion, said cartridge in a first condition having said movable portion forming with said fixed portions a completely enclosed hollow enclosure, at least one reel rotatably mounted between opposite fixed portions of said cartridge, said reel being adapted to have said web wound thereon, and said cartridge in a second condition thereof having said movable portion spaceD from said fixed portions to provide access by said system to said web; releasable means coupled between said fixed and movable portions, for holding said cartridge in said first condition thereof; means for releasing said holding means; and means operable upon the release of said holding means for urging said movable portion to dispose said cartridge in said second condition thereof.
 9. In combination with a recorder-reproducer system having a transport including means arranged to define a path for an elongated web, a web cartridge having a plurality of fixed sides and at least one movable side hinge-mounted to said fixed sides, said movable side in a first position thereof forming with said fixed sides a completely enclosed hollow enclosure, first and second reels rotatably mounted within said enclosure, a plurality of web guiding members mounted in parallel spaced relation to said reels, said members adapted to have said web pass from one of said reels about said members to the other of said reels, releasable means for holding said sides in enclosing relation, means operable upon release of said holding means to move said movable side to a second position thereof, in which said movable side is rotated away from said fixed sides to expose said web, web engaging means movable between said cartridge and said transport means; means for interposing said web engaging means between said guide members and said reels when said movable side is in said second position; and means for driving said web engaging means to withdraw said web from said cartridge and to dispose said web for positioning in said path defined by said transport means.
 10. The invention according to claim 9 and further including means associated with at least one of said reels for opposing withdrawal of said web from said reel. 